What is People Security Management? A Complete Guide for Organizations

People Security Management (PSM) is a strategic cybersecurity approach that focuses on the human element, treating employees as the first line of defense against cyber threats. IBM reported that 95% of cybersecurity breaches were caused by human error. In the contemporary world, when it comes to cybersecurity, many organizations primarily focus on investing in securing their IT infrastructure and systems. Threatcop takes a distinctive approach, focusing on ‘People Security Management.’ The notion behind a people-centric approach is to ensure robust employee awareness and cybersecurity training. We are committed to protecting the safety of your organization through people, by the people, in the face of constantly changing cyber threats.

In their relentless pursuit of breaching organizations, cybercriminals frequently target human weaknesses, as this is the easiest way to get exclusive information. Hackers consistently employ different mechanisms and methods to evolve the sophistication of attacks. With ongoing technological advancements, whether in AI chatbots or automation, hackers are regularly exploiting people to extract crucial information. In the face of such rising threats, Threatcop leaves no stone unturned to make sure that their attempts are futile.

People Security Management (PSM): A Framework to Empower Employees

PSM can be defined as a strategic approach to cybersecurity that emphasizes the weakest link- ‘humans’ within an organization. It encompasses policies, practices, and training initiatives designed with comprehensive threat intelligence to enhance the security posture by addressing human vulnerabilities, behaviors, and decision-making processes.

To ensure that humans become the strongest defense between you and threats, we embrace the exclusive AAPE model- Assess, Aware, Protect, and Empower. We assess the weakest links, raise awareness, provide robust protection, and empower employees to defend against cyber threats.

The AAPE Model safeguards your human assets by fostering a culture of security awareness and equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to actively participate in defending against cyber threats. We integrate people into the security framework, and PSM enhances the effectiveness of existing technologies and processes, thereby bolstering overall cyber resilience.

Why Organizations Need People Security Management?

To understand the significance of PSM in cybersecurity, let’s explore the cybersecurity pyramid. At the base of the pyramid lies Technology, which encompasses the hardware, software, and infrastructure deployed to safeguard digital assets. The next level is the Process layer, comprising policies, procedures, and frameworks that guide cybersecurity operations. Finally, at the topmost layer of the pyramid, we have People who are actively involved in executing these processes and using the technology.

While technology and processes are essential components, the human element deserves top priority. Why? Because humans are prone to errors, vulnerabilities, and social engineering attacks, which can have a detrimental impact on companies. A study cited by PC World found that human error accounts for up to 75% of data loss. According to FAU, 78% of employees are aware of the risks posed by suspicious links in emails, but still click them. There is much such data that indicates the need for human-proof cybersecurity. Humans are the most common cause of cyber breaches in the workplace, and they occur in companies of all sizes worldwide on a daily basis. 

Statista reported that the average cost of a data breach in the healthcare industry increased from $9.23 million between May 2020 and March 2021 to over $10 million between March 2021 and March 2022. With an average cost of $5.97 million per breach, the banking sector ranked second. During the measurement period, the average cost of a data breach worldwide was $ 4.35 million. Public sector data breaches came in last, costing an average of 2.07 million dollars over the course of the study.

In all the above data, human error was the primary cause of the breaches. According to a 2022 IBM study, human error was a factor in 95% of data breaches, up 10% from 2020. According to the Ponemon Institute, employee negligence or human error is the root cause of many data breaches. Over 78% of respondents say negligent or malicious employees or other insiders have been responsible for at least one data breach within their organizations over the past two years.

Since people alone occupy a significant share of the cybersecurity space, Threatcop has brought the PSM strategy, which focuses on the AAPE model. The AAPE model emerges as a valuable framework to address the human element. By assessing vulnerabilities and weak links, raising Awareness about cyber threats, providing robust Protection measures, and empowering individuals to actively participate in defending against cyber threats, PSM aims to bridge the gap and strengthen the human layer of the cybersecurity pyramid.

The AAPE Model

To implement PSM effectively, organizations should adopt the AAPE Model, comprising four key pillars: assess, aware, protect, and empower. Let’s explore how each pillar is significant in cybersecurity. 

Assess

The first step in PSM is to assess an organization’s current security landscape. This helps organizations assess their weakest links in terms of human risk management. This includes identifying employees most likely to fall victim to social engineering attacks, as well as gaps in an organization’s security policies and procedures. In this stage, Threatcop Security Awareness Training (TSAT) will help you. It simulates the top five cyber attacks, like phishing, smishing, WhatsApp phishing, spear phishing, ransomware, etc., on your employees and checks the real-time cybersecurity risk posture of the organization.

Aware

Creating a culture of security awareness is a major part of PSM. Through robust training modules, employees are educated about the latest threats, attack vectors, and best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. Regular employee cybersecurity training and interactive workshops through Threatcop Learning Management System (TLMS) help individuals stay vigilant and make informed decisions regarding security. 

Protect

In the protection phase of the Model, Threatcop DMARC (TDMARC) emerges as a key player. TDMARC is ingeniously designed to protect your business domain and outbound email communications, a vital component of organizational security. By ensuring the integrity and deliverability of emails, TDMARC complements Threatcop’s suite of solutions, like Phishing, Vishing, Smishing, Ransomware, and WhatsApp Phishing Simulation and Awareness Training. TDMARC acts as a guardian of your digital communication channels, preventing domain spoofing and email phishing attacks, which are common tactics used by cybercriminals. This protection extends beyond the technical realm, bolstering employees’ confidence and trust in their digital interactions and thereby reinforcing a culture of cybersecurity awareness and resilience.

Empower

Empowering individuals is the pinnacle of PSM. It involves providing employees with the necessary resources, tools, and authority, using products like Threatcop Phishing Incident Response (TPIR), to actively contribute to the organization’s security efforts. This can be achieved through continuous skills development programs, incentivizing responsible behavior, and establishing clear communication channels for promptly reporting security incidents.

Through the AAPE model, PSM holds that by focusing on human behavior, decision-making processes, and security awareness, organizations can enhance their overall cyber resilience. It involves creating a culture in which individuals prioritize security, understand their role in defending against threats, and possess the knowledge, skills, and tools to actively contribute to cybersecurity efforts.

How to Implement People Security Management

PSM is a critical component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Here are five concrete steps to get started:

• 1. Run a baseline simulation. Use phishing and smishing simulations to understand where your employees currently stand. This gives you a risk baseline before any training begins.
• 2. Identify high-risk groups. Not every employee carries the same risk. Finance, HR, and senior leadership are common targets. Prioritize training for roles that handle sensitive data or have high email exposure.
• 3. Set a training cadence. One-time training does not work. Schedule monthly awareness campaigns and quarterly simulation attacks to keep employees alert and retention high.
• 4. Deploy incident reporting tools. Make it easy for employees to flag suspicious emails or messages. A fast reporting loop reduces the window of exposure during an active attack.
• Measure and improve. Track click rates on simulations, training completion rates, and incident reports over time. Use the data to refine your approach.

According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, 50% of data breaches could be prevented with proper employee training. This means that by providing employees with the knowledge and skills they need to identify and avoid cyber threats, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of a data breach. The study also found that 90% of employees believe that they are not adequately trained to protect their organization from cyber threats. This suggests a significant need for organizations to invest in employee training.

Threatcop’s tools and solutions are easy to use and scalable. It can be deployed in minutes and can be used by organizations of all sizes. And they are also affordable, as we offer a variety of pricing plans to fit your budget.

If you are looking to improve your organization’s PSM, Threatcop is a good place to start. Our platform can help you to reduce the risk of human error in cybersecurity and protect your data from cybercriminals.

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